I Am ARMY

<p class=ql-align-justify><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>The identity of ARMY the dynamic global fanbase of Korean music group BTS is complex and nuanced. </span><em style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>I Am ARMY</em><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);> locates documents and celebrates just some of the unique identities within the diverse fandom. A collection of autoethnographic essays each chapter in this book contains an ARMY experience which transcends the personal entirely. As such they sit as part of a broader socio-political examination and critique of the world we live in today. </span><em style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>I Am ARMY</em><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);> gives the reader a chance to immerse themselves in the world of an ARMY living an entirely different life and the opportunity to understand just how socially constructed and influenced our lived-experiences truly are. </span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>Co-editor Eaglehawk frames the socio-political stories in </span><em style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>I Am ARMY</em><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);> as accounts of 'practicing revolutionaries' and introduces BTS as 'participatory revolutionaries'. Drawing upon universal truths detailed throughout the book Eaglehawk develops a set of components for what she calls the 'Love Yourself Speak Yourself Revolution' which is currently underway.</span><span style=color: rgb(0 0 0);> </span></p><p><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>Within this book you will find the answers to questions such as: why are fandoms devalued? how can I learn to love myself? and how can I be a feminist </span><em style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>and</em><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);> an ARMY? Above all else you will find a little piece of yourself written on the page; for each of us are ARMY each of us are human. </span><em style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>I Am ARMY </em><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>serves as a reminder that despite how disconnected we may feel from the world how disheartened or downtrodden we are not alone; ARMY or not. </span></p><p><br></p><p class=ql-align-justify><strong style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>Essays</strong></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);><span class=ql-cursor></span>Emerging victorious by Naazneen and Tagseen Samsodien</span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>The day that didn't break me by Anna Shaffer</span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>From fake love to self-love by Manilyn Gumapas</span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>How BTS contributes towards an awareness of myself by Lily Low</span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>I am ARMY I am revolutionary by Wallea Eaglehawk</span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>Finding BTS gave me back myself by Courtney Lazore</span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>Speaking myself by Sharon Chen</span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0 0 0);>ARMY as a feminist identity by Keryn Ibrahim</span></p>